Transmission control mechanism



March 28, 1939. E. J. BENZ TRANSMISSION CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Sept. 22, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet l March 28, 1939. E, 1 BENZ TRANSMISSION CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Sept. 22, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 A T T ORNE YS.

March 28, 1939. E. J. BENZ TRANSMISSION CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Sept. 22, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR Erw/27 fefzz- BY wwf/M? A TTORNE YS.

March 28, 1939.

E. J, BENZ TRANSMISSION CONTROL MECHANISM Filed Sept. 22, 1937 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 {y} ma Patented Mar. 28, 1939 PATENT. {or-*Fica l 2,152,581y y f mNsmssroN ooNraoL Macmimsnr l Erwin J. Benz, Detroit, Mich., assignor to BudsonMotor Car Company, Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Michigan A Application September 22, 1937, Serial No. 165,036 ""-zcclaima (c1. 'J4-.334)

'Ihis invention relates to transmissions, such as automotive transmissions, and more particularly, although not exclusively, equipped with manually operable remote control means which, for example, mayembody a vacuum operated gear shifting cylinder-and-piston means controlled by means of `electric circuits including a switch with a miniature selector lever, usually arranged on the steering column, which 'can be selectively moved into various positions, similarly to a conventional gear shifting lever, thereby set'- ting the electric control nieainsto permit predetermined operation of the vacuum control means vwhich shift the -transmission gears into corresponding positions.

Considerable diiliculties have been experienced in the use of such transmissions through butting of gear teeth when shifting into low or reverse gear. In a manual shift, the operator is capable of feeling at the gear shifting Ilever the resistance to the mesh whe the gears abut, and he usually works the gear f-ting lever forward and backward until the gears are slightly moved and brought into positions where continued pressure on the gear shifting lever slides the moving gear A- into full mesh. The movement of the gears into .a proper meshing engagement is -also felt at the gear shifting lever, since the lever is easily moved all the way into the accustomed position. Such a feeP has not been possible at the selector switch lever of the electric hand, since there is no direct mechanical connection between the selec- 'tor switch lever and the transmissiongears, and after the lever ismoved practically with no resistance all the way into a desired position, the gears may abut and even grind without producing any sensible feel at the lever.`

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved automotive transmission in which the above diiliculties are largely eliminated v ance is offered to the movement of the selector lever if the transmission gears abut, which' resistance is quickly released when the gears are slidv into a propermeshing engagement.

It is an added object of the present invention to provide an improved transmission having means of the foregoing character, which means are simple in construction and do not increase to a transmissiony appreciably the manufacturhig cost of the transmission. fv Other objects and advantages of this'V inventionwill appear in the following description land appendedgclaims, reference being had to the ac 5 companying drawings -forming a part of' this specification wherein like reference characters designate corresponding parts in the several views. y

Fig. 1 is a perspective view, Lpa'rtly in section. 10 of a transmission equipped th apower shifter` embodying the present invent on, the electric cir'- cuits being indicated diagrammatically. Y Fig. 2 is a view taken in the direction ofthe arrows on the vertical plane through the 15 line2-2ofFlg.1. f

Fig. 3 is a perspective view, partly in section, 'o. the selector switch showing the magnetic clutch cooperating therewith.-

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the *20' electric circuit controlling the magnetic clutch, the clutch being shown engaged.

' Fig. 5 is a view similar in part tolg. 3, the clutch being shown disengaged. 1

Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view illustrat-l 25 ing the operative connection of the selector lever shaft with the magnetic switch.

Fig. .'7 is a perspective view, partlyin section, with diagrammatically indicated electric circuits. illustrating a modified structure embodying the 30 present invention. f

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic view illustrating the electric circuit operatively connecting the magnetic clutch, the diaphragm and the vacuum pis ton switches, the clutch being shown engaged.

Before explaining in detail the. present invention it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and 'arrangement `oi parts illustrated in the accompanying drawings, sincethe invention 40 is capable of other embodiments and'of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also it is to be understood-thatthe phraseology'or terminology employed herein is for the purpose oi' description and not of limitation, andit is not intended to limitv the invention claimed herein beyond the requirements of theprior art.

In the drawings there is shown, by way of example, an automobile transmission equipped with a power-gear shifting device, means being provided for yieldingly resisting movements of the selector switch handle or lever until the transmission gears are properly meshed, whereupon said-resistance is suddenly released and notice is given to the driver that proper meshing of 55 Inaccordancewith the invention said means .for example may comprise generally a magnetic clutch provided with means m8381118 the selector switch lever Vshaft and yieldlingly resisting rotation thereof whenv the magnetlc clutchisengagedbutoiferlng no resistance when the clutch is disengaged.

Means controllingl t and disensaaement of the electric or magneticclutch comprise,

proper mesh, the switch remains closed and the clutch is engaged `In view of the fact that but.- ting of gears may occur mainly when the gears are moved in starting the vehicle from a stand- ,I still either intov nrst or into reverse gear, in the y present embodiment of the invention themeans of the foregoing character are provided only ,for cooperating with members effecting shifting of the gears into the first and reverse gears. However, by the provision ofA similar means cooper-y ating with members effecting or moving with the transmission gears in shifting into second and third, similar operation of the remote selector or miniature switch lever in shifting gears into second or third may be-efl'ected.

. Referring to the drawings, the structure illusltrated therein comprises anautomobile trans- ,mission I9 of a conventional design hving a pair of longitudinally operable gear shift rails I'I and I2 provided with shifting forks I3 andl4. VThe shifting fork I3 of the rail 'Ilengages a sliding gear I5 slidably mountedl on a shaft I9 and adapted to be moved by the fork I3 into a selec'- tive meshing engagement with either `the low speed gear I1 or a reverse idler I3, thereby per-l mitting operation -of the vehicle in low or in reverse gear. Longitudinal movements of the.v

shift rail I2 effect in a well known manner shifting of the transmission gears into second and into highgears. The shift rails II and I2 are moved longitudinally by. means of a 'shifting linger I9 supported by a balland socket joint 20. The lower end of the shifting finger I 9 can swing from side to side to engage one or the other of the shift rails and can thereafter be moved forward or backward to move `the shift rails to engage the various gears.

The shifting finger inthe present embodiment, herein illustrated byway ,of example, is moved in the above described manner by pneumatically operated mechanisms controlled by means of a device knownr in the art vunder the name of electric hand. Said pneumatically operated mechanisms act on a horizontal cross shaft 2I which projects into the `transmission I0, the inner end of the shaft carrying an annular arm or bracket 22 which surrounds the lower end of the shifting finger I9. Thus, as the cross shaft` 2l is slid in andout, the shifting finger I9 is moved from side to side, and, if the cross shaft 2l is rotated, the finger I9 is moved forward and backward. Hence, by proper movement of the them being vacuum operated, 'I'he power vunit arcata:

23 comprises a cylinder 251 with closed ends, in which cylinder there is slidably fltt'ed a piston 29 mounted o'n a piston rod 21 passing through the closed lfront end 29 of ,the cylinder .25 and hingedly connected to a crank 29 secured -to'the 5 cuter endof the cross shaft 2I and provided with a cam extension 29a. Vacuum conduits 3| and .32 communicating with the vacuumzone in the -intake nanifold of the engine (not shown) and controlled by means of a solenoid valve dew` vice 32 cause the engine -vacuumto act on the piston 23 vat the desired side thereof.` By virtue of such'a construction the power unit 23 is double acting and therefore movements of the piston 23 in the cylinder 25 impart rotative movements to 5 the cross shaft 2| in yeither direction, while through the anuular arm-22 and theshifting finger I9 longitudinal movements are imparted to the respective shift rail.

Engagement of the corresponding shift .rail by 20 'the shifting flnger I9 is effected by means of a diaphragm mechanism 24 including a diaphragm 35A arranged in a casing 39 and acted upon by the vacuum transmitted into the casing-through the conduit 3l and a spring 39 opposing the action 25 of the vacuum. Movements of the .diaphragm 35 are transmittedrby a diaphragm rod 39 to the bell crank 49 pivotally secured to the transmission casing, as indicated at 4I, and provided with a slotted extension 40a receiving` the cam exten- 36 sion- 29a of the crank 29. y

' From an examination of the drawings it can be clearly seen vthat when the'vacuum is allowed to act through the conduit Il on the diaphragm 35, the same moves toward the conduit in opposition to the action of the spring, rotating the bell crank 49 around the point 4I and moving.J the cross shaft 2I outward, which causes movement of the shifting finger I9 into engagement with the shift rail Il. If following such engage- 40 ment of the shift rail I I, the vacuum is allowed to act through the conduit 3| on the upper sideV of the piston 26, the 'piston' will move upward and the cross shaft 2l will rotate, pushing the shift rail II and, consequently, the sliding gear 45 The communication of the conduits 3l, 32' and 55 31 with the vacuum zone of the engine, effected by means of a conduit 30, is controlled by means of three valves indicated by the numerals 42, 43 and 44 operated by means of solenoids 45, 46

and 4'I respectively.. The solenoids are, in turn, 60 ,controlled by a system of electric circuits.

The proper operation of the valves is accomplished by means of a. selector mechanism having a shaft 5I operated by a miniature gear shift handle or lever 52 arranged in a casing 50 provided with an 65 H-shaped slot in which points N', R, L, S and H correspond to neutral, reverse, low, second and high gear positions of the lever 52, respectively. The exact operation of the electric circuits fed from the battery 53, in response to the shifting of the lever 52 into various operative positions,

is well known in the art and may be' traced in the drawings, and, therefore, a detailed description thereof isl omitted. For a complete understanding of the present invention it will suilice :Incassi to state that the movements or the miniature lever 52 are duplicated by the shifting finger Il whereby the desired shifting of'the gears is effectedas described.

The structure so far described constitutes prior art, and with the above description in view it can be'easily understood that there is no mechanical `connection between the lever 52 andthe shifting finger I5, and, therefore, upon shifting 'the gear I5 it may happen that the teeth of the gear I5 may button the teeth of the low gearv I1 or reverse idler-"gear vIl )and no meshing occur.' Nevertheless, the lever 52 will stay in the respective position as if the proper meshing'was 'effectedgiving nofnotice to the driver of the dangerous condition in the transmission. If under Asuch a condition the clutch engages and power is applied to the abuttingl gears, sveregrinding of such gears may occur, resultingin noisy clashing, wearing out or even breaking of the gear teeth. In a manually operated transmission the driver immediately feels" butting of the gears, since the shifting finger and consequently the shifting lever extending upward from the shift# ing nger, does not move all the way into the accustomed position, which gives notice to the operator to repeat the shifting operation.

In accordance with the present invention means are provided whereby the driver may feel at they turned into its original position, causing the shift ing fingen I9 to separate the abutting gears.

In the present embodiment of the invention said means include what is herein termed for convenience an electromagnetic clutch or magnetic friction brake generally designated at 54 mounted on the free end of the shaftA 5I, said clutch or brake comprising a winding `55, a fixed magnet plate 55, and a longitudinally movable plate 51 adapted to engage frictionally the fixed plate 55 when attractedthereto by the magnetic action.

The shaft 5I is freely rotatable and longitudi nelly movabie with respeot to the nx'ed plate 5s.'

1t can also he free1y moved longitudinally through the movable plate 51, but it is resiliently connected Itothe plate 51 for rotation by means of two hat springs 53 having corresponding ends anchored in a block 59 secured to the plate 51, the opposite ends ,of the springs slidingly extending through a slot provided in a block 5l -secuded to 4the plate 51 opposite the block 55. 'I'he ends of the springs 58 are brought together in the blocks 55 and 55 but are separated in their middle portions because of the. engagement with the milled portions 5Ia ofthe shaft 5I. By virtue of such a construction the plate 51, if disengaged from the fixed plate 55, rotates with the shaft 5I without any resistance. However, if the plate 51 engages Ythe plate 5 5 and its rotation is thereby prevented,

the rotation of the shaft 5l will tend lto spread the springs 5l apart, deecting th'e same. The springs -55 resist resilientlyoryieldingly their vdeflection and, therefore, also the rotation of the shaft 5I as well as the operative movements of the handle 52. Thus, when the vdriver moves the handle 52 with the magnetic clutch plates 55 and 51 engaged, he feels a certain yielding resistance, As `soon as these clutch plates are disengaged, said resistance immediately released, which is immediately felt by the* driver. v'111e milled portions lla are sov arranged that when the handle i 52 is in its neutral position and the plate 51 is in its mid-position the springs "are in the position of their least deflection. Therefore, rotation of the shaft 5Il in either direction relatively to clutch p1ate51 because of the movement of the handle 52 either int'o the reverse or the low gear position is 'yieldably resisted by the springs and the springs will tend to return the handle 52 into its neutral position.

In accordance with the invention means are provided whereby the clutch 54 remains engaged until proper'engagement of the sliding gear I5 with the respective transmission `gear is effected,

L said means being adapted to disengage the clutch 54 as soon as such engagement occurs.

` In the present embodiment of the invention said means are exemplified by an electric circuit includingI a source of electric energy, in the present instance the storage battery 53. One of the terminals of the battery 53 is grounded on the vehicle structure as shown at 5I, 'while to the other terminal there is electrically connected a conductor 52, the opposite end whereof 'is electrically connected to the terminal 55a of the winding 55 of the electromagnetic clutch 54. Into the conductor 52 there areA interposed an ignition key operated switch 53, a clutch pedal operated switch 54. a cutout switch 55, and a. selector shaft operated switch designated as a whole at 55. To the second terminal 55h of the winding 55 of the electromagnetic clutch 54 there is connected a conductor 51, the opposite end of which is electrically connected to the shift rail operated switch designated as a whole at 58, the latter being adapted to establish and to break the electric contact of the conductor 51 with the shift rail I I which is grounded on the vehicle structure. The function of the ignition key operated switch 53 is to render the control means inoperative when the ignition key is turned to its H position, thereby preventing discharge of the battery `53; the function of the cut-out switch 55 is to enable` selective disconnection 'of the electric hand controlled means; and,.flnal1y, by the provision of the clutch pedal operated switch 54 the `control means are disconnected from the source ance with the present invention is not found in conventional structures.

The purpose-of the selector shaft operated switch 55 is to close th`e electromagnetic clutch operating circuit when the shaft I is moved with the aid of the handle 52 longitudinally to the left in order to permit moving of said handle into the reverse or low gear positions, and to open said circuit when said handle is moved to the right in order to permit movement thereof into the second and high' ngear positions. In the present embodiment the switch 55 comprises an insulated conductor sleeve mounted on the shaft 5I and .made flush with the cylindrical surfaces thereof. The contacts 1I and 12 are so arranged that both of them contact said sleeve thereby closing the' circuit when the shaft 5I is movedl to the left (see Fig. 4), while one of said contacts, in the present instance the contact 12, Vcontacts the insulation. when the shaft 5I is loV ' portion 11. and opens the switch (see Fig.'5)

4 Y moved to the right, thereby breaking the circuit.

The function of the shift rail operated switchv 88 is to keep the circuit closed when the gear I5 is in its out-of-mesh position and to open the circuit when said gear isin its iii-mesh position. In the present embodiment, said switch -88 comprises a hinged arm I18 having one end'18a, adaptedto contact a piece 14, while its opposite `end 1lb is adapted to contact'the shift rail II.r 'I'he shift rail II is cut-out as indicated at 15 to formv a valley with sloping sides 18 and 11 whichare so arranged that when the gear I5 meshes with the low gear I1, the e'nd 13b rides over the If with the above description" in view it can be easily understood from anexamination of Figs. 1, 4 and 5 that as the handle k52` is moved from its neutral position toward the left, the selector shaft switch 68 will close the circuit and the electric current will flow from the battery -53 through the conductor 82 (switches 83, 84 and 85 being closed), contact 1I, sleeve. 18, contact 12 through the `winding of the electro-magnetic clutch 54, through the conductor 61 and switch 68 to the ground effected by the rail I I and back to the source 58. Under these conditions the electromagnet will be energized and the plate 51 drawn to they plate 58 frictionally'engaglng the same. Movements of the handle 52 into reverse or low gear positions will then be resisted by the action of the springs 58,' and therefore the operator will'feel a. yielding resistance to the movement of said handle. Should teeth of the gear I5 butt with the teeth of the gear I1 0r I8, the l rail II will not move all the way to enable the yend 13b to rise on the respective sloping side to eiIect opening of the switch, and thereforel the switch 88 will remain closed. The driver will feel the continued resistance of the handle 52, and, if released, said handle will move down into the middle position, indicating that shifting'of the gears should be attempted again. If, however,I

the teeth of the gears mesh, the rail I I moves all the way and the switch 68 opens as described, breaking the circuit. When the circuit is broken y the electromagnetic clutch 54 is denergized and shift rail I I,

the plate 51 is no more held tight against the plate 58, and said plate 51 rotates following the shaft 5I until the deflection of the springs 58 is destroyed. The disengagement of the plates 56' may be substituted by a switch operated 4by any member which moves in response to the longitudinalrmovement of the shaft 5I when said shaft is moved to permit rotation of the shaft to effect y shifting of the gears into reverse or low gear. It

can also be appreciated thatv the shift rail operated switch 88 may be substitutedv by aswitch l,

operated by any member which moves together or in'response to the longitudinal movement of the A large number of different locations of such switches may be effected in accordance with the present disclosure. "Figs, 'I and 8 illustrate one of such modifications. f In the structure illustrated in Figs. 'land 8, the

selector shaft operated switch ss is substituted by a switch provided on the rod ofthe diaphragm mechanism 24, said switch being'similarv in construction tothe switch 88 andcomprising contact pieces 18 and 19 and an insulated contact sleeve on the shaft or rod 88. The shift rail operated switch 88 is substituted by a switch 82 of similar construction but located at the piston rod 21 of the vacuum power unit 28. From an examination of Figs. 7 and 8 it can be easily 'appreciated that when the gear I5 is in an outof-m'esh position,y the current4 flows from ,the source 53, through switches 88, 84, 85, contact pieces 18, 19, and sleeve III.y Conductor 83 to the winding of the electromagnetic clutch 54, through ,the conductor 8| to the switch 82 on the pistonv rod 21. Since movement of the shiftrails is caused by themovement of the piston 28 and the'rod 21, movement of said rod 21 operates similarly to the shifting rail II of the'structure of Fig. 1,

. causing opening of the switch and breaking of the circuit when the meshing of the gears occurs. In,

other respects the operation of 'the structure illustrated in Figs. '7 and 8 is similarto the operation of the structure shown in Fig. 1.

. In the present embodiment of Athe invention part of the electric circuit of the control means is utilized as a part 'of the circuit including means eecting sensible resistance to the movement of the selector switch lever, thereby utilizing the ignition key operated switch, the clutch pedal operated switch and the cut-out switch which are already provided in the circuit. It isto be understood that an entirelyseparate circuit/fed from the same or from a separate source may be provided if desirable, and one or more switches act- '.ing asfan ignitionkey operated switch, or as a clutchY operated switch or cut-0E switch may be inserted therein.

1. In an automotive transmission having a gear slidable in the direction of its longitudinal'airis into and out of meshing position, manuallyoperable remote control means including a selector lever shaft, said gear adapted to be moved automatically in response toA predetermined movements of said shaft; la member moving with said gear in lthe longitudinal sliding thereof, and means controlled by said member and adapted to resist yieldably the predetermined movements of said shaft when said gear is in its out-of-mesh position. l

2. VIn an automotive transmission having a gear slidable in the direction of its longitudinal axis into and out of meshing position, manually operable remotecontrol means including a selector, lever shaft, said gear adapted to be moved automatically in response to predetermined movements of said shaft; a member moving with said gear in the longitudinal sliding thereof, means controlled by said member and adapted to. resist yieldably the predetermined movements ofl said shaft when said gear is in its out-.of-mesh position, and means rendering said resisting means inoperative when said gear reaches its meshed position. l j

3. In an automotive transmission having a gear slidable in the direction of its longitudinal axis into and out of meshing position, manually operableremote control means including a selector lever shaft, said gear adapted to be moved automatically in response to predetermined moveannata:

ments or ma shan; mem adapted to' ,resist yieldably the predetermined movement ofsaid shaft when said gear is in its out-of-mesh position; a member moving with said gear in the longitudinal sliding movements thereof; electromagnetic means controlling said resisting means, and

a switch controlled by said member to cause .op` eration of said resisting means when said gear is controllingI said resisting means, and 'a switch operated by said member for opening and closing the circuit to operate said electromagnetic means and `to cause operation of said resisting means when said gear is in its out-of-me'sh position and to render' said resisting means inoperative when said gear reaches its in-mesh position.

5. In an automotive transmission having a gear slidable in the direction of its longitudinal axis into and out of meshing position, manually operable ,remoteA control means including a selector lever shaft, said gear `adapted to be moved automatically in response to predetermined movements of said shaft; resilient means cooperating with said shaft to resist yieldably predetermined movement thereof; a member connected with said gear and moving therewith when said gear is moved longitudinally; an electric circuit, electromagnetic means in said circuit ladapted to effect cooperation of said vshaft by said resilient means when the circuit is closed, and a switch operated by said member, said switch adapted to be closed when said gear is in its out. of-mesh position. 6. In an automotive transmission having a gear slidable into and out of vmeshed position, saidl movements thereof; an electric circuit, an electroy magnetic clutch in said circuit 'adapted to effect operative engagement of said 'shaft byI said spring means when-the circuit is closed and to render such engagement inoperative when the circuit is open; and a switch operated-by said member, said switch adapted to be closed when said'gear is in its out-of-mesh position and to be open when said gear is in its'm'eshed position.

7.. In an automotive transmission having a gear slidable into and out of meshed position, said transmission being provided with manuallyl operable remote control means including a shaft carrying a selector control lever, said gear adapted to be moved automatically in response to a predetermined degree of rotation of said shaft effected with the aid of said lever; spring means adapted to engage said shaft and .to resist yieldably predetermined -rotation of said shaft; a member adapted to move said gear into andout .of its meshed position? an electric circuit, an electromagnetic clutch in said circuit mounted on said shaft and adapted to effect operative engagement 'of said 'shaft by saidspring means when the circuit is closed and to render such engagement inbe closed when said gearvis in its out-of-mesh position and to be open when said gearis in Aits .in-mesh. position, whereby yieldable resistance is offered to the predetermined movements lof-said "control lever when said gear is in its out-of-mesh position, said resistance being released when said gear is in its in-mesh position.

' 8. Inan automotive transmission having a gear erable remote control means including a-selector lever shaft operable with the aid of a control lever provided thereon, said gear adapted to be movedautomatically in response to predetermined rotative movements of said shaft; a plurality of springs engaging aportion of said shaft and adapted to be deflected when the shaft is rotated relative to said springs; a member engaging said gear and adapted to move vthe same into and out of operative 'when the circuit is open;and a switch operated by said member, said switch adapted to slidable into and out of aits' in-mesh position, said -transmission being provided withlmanually op-v its in-mesh position; anelectric circuit, an elec- 4 tromagnetic clutch in said circuit adapted to provide anchorage means for said springs when the circuit is closed thus permitting relative rotation of springs and the shaft for deflecting said springs 'when the shaft is rotated, said clutch being further adapted to render said anchorage means movable Withthe shaft when the circuit is open; and a switch operated by said gear moving member and adapted tor-be closed when said gear is in its out-of-mesh position and to be open when said gear is in its in-mesh position,4 whereby yieldable resistance is offered tothe .predetermined i in its out-of-mesh position, said resistance be- '.40 Y

ing reieased when said gear is inv its in-mesh movements of said control lever'when said gear is position. ,f Y .n

9. In lan A automotive.transmission having a gear .slidable into and out of meshing engagement with two Vgears located at the respective ends 'of its path, `said transmission being provided with remote control means including a selector lever shaft adapted to move longitudinally through a predetermined Vdistance and'to rotate through a predetermined angle, said gear adaptedto be slid automatically in response to the rotative movements of said shaft; av member adapted to slide said gear into'the various positions along its path;

' 10. .Inan automotive transmission having a slidinggear movable into and out of meshing engagement with a low speed gear or with a rever'se idler gear, a shift rail adapted to move said-sliding gear, a shifting device adapted to engage said rail for movingithe same, said transmission provi/ded with remote control means including a selector shaft adapted to move longitudinally through a predetermined distance to effect engagement of said device with said `rail and to rotate through a predetermined angle to gagement of said device with said 'railand to.

-eifect seiective engagement of said sliding gea, with said reverse gear or said low gear; resilient means yleldably resisting operative rotation of said shaft when said sliding gear is in its out-ofmesh position, said means adapted to become inoperative to eifectsuch'resistance when meshing of .saidj gearsl is effected and when said shiftingV device ,is out of engagement with said rail.

l1. In an Y automotive transmission having a slidinggear movable into and out'of meshing engagement with alow speed gear or with al reverse idler gear, a shift railadapted lto movev said slid- Y ing gear, a shifting device adapted to engage said rail -for moving the same', said transmission pro,- vided with remoteoontrol means including aselector Yshaft, adapted to move longitudinally through a predetermined distance to effect enrotate through predetermined angle to effect selective engagement of said sliding gear with said reverse gear o'r said low gear; means adapted to resist yieldingly the rotation of said shaft; and

` electromagnetic means operatively connected withy said resisting means'and adapted to rende the same effective when said sliding gearis in its outof-mesh position. 12. In an automotive transmission having a sliding gear movable ,into and out of meshing engagement with alow speed gear or with a reverse idler gear, a shift rail adapted to move said sliding gear, ashifting device adapted to engage said rail for moving the same, said transmission provided with remote control meansr including a selector'shaft adapted to move longitudinally through a predetermined distance to effect engagement of said device withv said rail and to rotate through a predetermined angle to' effect selective engagement of said sliding gear of the teeth Of snidslidin'g gear with the teeth Y of the reverse or low speed gear is effected.

13. In an automotive transmission having a sliding gear movable into and out of meshing engagement with a llow speed gear or with a reverse idler gear, a shift rail adapted to move said sliding gear, a shifting device adapted to engage said'rail for moving thesame, said transmission provided with remote control means including a selector shaft adaptedv to move longitudinally through a predetermined distance to effect engagement of' said device with said rail and to rotate through a predetermined angle to effect selective engagement of said sliding gear with said reverse gear or said low gear; means adapted to resist yieldingly the rotation of said shaft; an electric circuit, ra switch adapted to- 'close said circuit when the vshifting device engages said shift rail, electromagnetic ymeans in said circuit operatively connected with said resisting means for rendering the same effective when said sliding gear is in its out-of-mesh position, said electromagnetic means being further adapted to release the resistance offered by said means to the rotation of the shaft when meshing of the teeth of said sliding gear with the teeth of the reverse or low 'speed gear is effected.

'14. In an automotive transmission having a sliding gear movableI into and vout of meshing engagement withga low speed gear'or with a reverse idler gear, a shift rail adapted to move said sliding gear, a shifting device adapted to engage said rail for moving the same, 'said' ton provided lwithremote control including a selector shaft [adapted to (move, longitudinally i through a predetermined distance to effect engagement of said device with said rail and to rotate through a predetermined angle tojeifect selective engagement of said sliding gear with said reverse gear or said low gear; spring means adapted to resist'yieldingly the rotation of said l shaft; an electric circuit, a switch adapted to close said circuit when the shifting device engases the shift rail; an electromagnetic clutch operatively connecting, when engaged, said spring means with the selector shaftfor resisting rota' tion thereof, said clutch adapted to be 'engaged when the circuit is closed, and a second switch adapted 'to be closed when said sliding gear is in an out-of-mesh position and to open when 1 the'teeth of the sliding gear'mesh with the teeth lof the low speed gear or the reverse idler gear.

15. In combination with an automotive trans` mission including manually operable remote cohtrol means having a selector 'lever and a shaft controlled thereby, an electromagnetic clutch mounted-on said shaft, and spring means secured to said clutch and engaging said shaft,

said spring means adapted to be deflected when the shaft rotates in either direction from a predetermined original position during a timewhen the clutch is engaged, thereby tending to resist such rotation andcause reversionv of the. shaft to its normal position.

16. In combinationy with an automotive trafns mission including manually operable remote control 4means having a selector shaft, an electromagnetic vclutch mounted on said shaft and having a iixed partand a movable part adapted to be moved into frictional engagement with said fixed part, said`v shaft `being freely rotatable in said plates, a plurality of springs carried by said movable plate and engaging a portion of the shaft, whereby rotation of the shaft is resiliently resisted when said clutch parts are engaged.

17. In an automotive transmission having a sliding 'gear` movable into and out-of meshing engagement with av low speed gear or with a' reverse idler gear, a shiftI rail adapted to move said slidshifting device adapted to engage said rail lfor moving the same, said transmission provided with remote control means including a selector lever having a longitudinally movable and rotatable shaft, a diaphragm mechanism adapted to effect engagement of said shifting device and said shift rail in responsey to a predetermined longitudinal movement of said shaft, and a power cylinder with 'a piston adapted to move said shift `rail in response to predetermined rotative movements of said shaft to effect meshing engagementof said sliding gear; spring means adapted to resist yieldingly the rotative movements of said shaft in either direction from a predetermined position; an electric circuit, a' switch operated by said diaphragm mechanism and adapted to close the circuit when the shifting device engages the shift rail, electromagnetic means in said circuit adapted to effect resilient engagement of the shaft by the spring ,means when the circuit is closed, and

a second switch operated by said power cylinder.

vsintassi teeth of the sliding gear mesh either with the teeth of the low speed gear or the reverse idler gear.

18. In an automotive transmission having a sliding gear movable into and out of meshing engagement with a low speed gear or with a reverse idler gear, a shift rail adapted to move said sliding gear into meshing engagement therewith, a shifting device adapted to engage said rail for moving the same, s aid transmission provided with remote control means including a 'selector leverI having a longitudinally movable and rotatable shaft. a diaphragm mechanism having a movable rod adapted to effect engagement of said shifting device and said shift rail in response to a predetermined longitudinal movement of saidshaft, and a power cylinder with a piston mounted on a piston rod adapted-to move said shift rail in response to predetermined rotative movements of said shaft to effect meshing engagement of said sliding gear; spring means adapted to resist yieldingly the rotative movements of said shaft in either direction from a predetermined position; an electric circuit, a switch operated by said diaphragm rod and adapted, when moved to effect engagement of said shifting device with said rail, to close the circuit, electromagnetic means in said circuit'adapted to effect resilient engagement of the shaft by said spring means when the circuit is closed, and a second switch operated by the power cylinder piston rod and adapted to be opened when the teeth of the sliding` gear mesh with the teeth of the selected gear.

19. In a gear transmission having a gear movable longitudinally of its axis into and out) of a meshing engagement with other gears of the transmission and a manually operated remote control selector device, said gear adapted to be automatically moved in response to operative movements of said device; a member moving with said gear in the longitudinal movements thereof, and resilient means adapted to resist yieldably the operative movements of said device when said gear is in its out-of-mesh position, said resilient means being operative only when the vehicle is operating and the clutch pedal is pressed down to effect disengagement of the vehicle clutch.

20. In automotive transmission having a sliding gear movable into and out of meshing engagement with a low speed gear and with a reverse idler gear, a shift rail adapted to move said sliding gear, a shifting device adapted to engage said rail for moving the same, said transmission provided with manually operative remote control means including a selector device, means to effect engagement of said device with said rail upon movement of the selector device through a predetermined distance, means to eifect selective engagement of said sliding gear with said reverse gear or said low gear upon rotation of said selector device througli a predetermined angle; means adapted to resist yieldingly the rotation of said shaft; and electromagnetic means operatively connected with said resisting means for rendering the same effective as lang as said sliding gear is out of mesh. y

21. In a gear transmission having ka sliding gear movable into and out/of meshing engagement with other gears of the transmission, a remote 'lo control manually operable selector element.

means whereby said gear is adapted to be automatically shifted in response to movement of said selector element, a resistance device for said selector element, and means controlled by the movement of said gear to render said device effective to resist movement of the selector element when said gear is in its out-of-mesh position.

22. In a gear transmission having a sliding gear movable into and out of meshing engagement with other gears of the transmission, a remote control manually operable selector element, means whereby said gear is adapted to be automatically shifted in response to movement of said selector element, a yieldable resistance device for said selector element, and meansL controlled by the movement of said gear to render said device effective to resist movement of the selector element when said gear is in its out-of-mesh position.

23. In a gear transmission having a sliding gear movable into and out of meshing engagement with other gears of the transmission, a remote control manually operable selector element, means whereby said gear is adapted to be automatically shifted in response to movement of said selector element, a resistance device for said selector elemovable into and out of meshing vengagement with other gears of the transmission, a remote control manually operable selector element, means whereby said gear is adapted to be automatically shifted in response to movement of said selector element. an elec'tromagnetically controlled resistance device for said selector element, and means controlled by the movement of said gear to render said device effective to resist movement of the selector element when said gear is in its out-ofmesh position.

25. In a gear transmission having a sliding gear movable into and out ofA meshing engagement with other gears of the transmission, a remote control manually operable selector element, means whereby said gear is adapted to be automatically shifted inl response to movement of said selector element, a resistance device for said selector element. a member movablewith said gear, and means controlled by said member during the movement thereof to render said device effective to resist movement of the selector element when said gear is out-oi'meshed position.

26. In a ygear transmission yhaving a sliding gear movable into and out of meshing engagement with other gears of the transmission, a remote control manually operable selector element, means whereby said gear is adapted to Ybe automatically shifted in response to movement of said selector element, a resistance device for said selector element, and electromagnetic means controlled by the movement of said gear to render said device effective to resist movement of the selector element when said gear is in its out-ofmesh position.

nawm J. mz. fo 

